Waste trap movement system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to the provision of a closure system for a drain hole of a bath, sink or the like. The system comprises a closure means which is movable between an open drainage position and closed sealed position. The movement is controlled by a movement assembly mounted in connection with the closure means so as to allow the movement to be achieved without direct contact between the user and the closure means being required. Typically one or more user operable switches or remote control means are provided to allow the selective movement of the closure means by the movement assembly to be achieved.

The invention to which this application relates is to apparatus whichallows the movement of a closure means, typically one having a wastetrap, of the type used in conjunction with the drain hole and drainpipein a sink or bath or similar item, (hereinafter referred to as sinks ina non limiting manner). In particular, the apparatus is provided toallow the automated or driven movement of the waste trap between openand closed positions.

Sinks are typically provided with a cavity for the collection of liquidsuch as water and/or detergents therein, so as to perform washing orrinsing actions in the body of liquid which is collected. The sinks areprovided with a base in which at least one drain hole is provided, saiddrain hole leading to a drain pipe and, in turn, a waste collectionsystem and through said drain hole, water can flow when the drain holeis open.

In order to allow the liquid to be collected in the sink, a closuremeans is provided which can be moved between an open and closedposition.

The closure means typically includes a sealing member and in oneembodiment, may also include a device known as a waste trap, which has abase portion and a peripheral lip, which is typically upstanding fromthe base portion so as to form a collecting “basket”. The base and lipinclude a series of apertures of a size which allow liquid to flowtherethrough but prevent larger particles, such as debris which can becarried in the liquid, from passing into the drain hole. This trap canbe selectively removed from the drain hole to a location for discardingdebris which may have been collected in the waste trap.

Typically, the closure means is moved between a raised, open position,and a lowered, closed position in which the sealing portion on theclosure means seals with the drain hole, to close the same andsubstantially prevent the flow of liquid into the drain hole from thesink. In this position, the body of liquid can be collected in the sink.To allow drainage of the sink, the closure means can be moved verticallyto the raised open position with the movement substantially along thelongitudinal central axis of the drain hole in which the closure meansis fitted. This therefore allows liquid to flow into the drainpipe and,if a waste trap is provided, for the debris to be collected in the wastetrap without entering the drainpipe.

The movement of the closure means is conventionally achieved by the usergripping a portion of the closure means at the top face thereof, andeither pulling the closure means upwardly or pushing the same downwardlyto move the same between the respective open and closed positions.

The problem with this form of device is that the user is required toplace their hands into the liquid to operate the closure means and,particularly if the body of liquid has been used for washing uppurposes, this may be a relatively unpleasant experience for the userdue to the debris and grease which may be present in the body of liquid.

An alternative known means of operating a plug or closure means is toprovide a mechanical movement assembly which includes at least oneelongate member which, at one end, contacts with the closure means tocause movement of the same between open and closed positions, and, atthe other end, there is provided an exposed portion, said portionexposed outwith the body of liquid on the sink which can be gripped andmoved by the user so as to cause movement of the assembly and hencemovement of the closure means. However, it is found that this mechanicalmovement assembly is prone to malfunction which may cause the closuremeans to be difficult to move to the open position and/or also to notprovide a sufficient seal when in the closed position.

These conventional systems can be difficult to operate for elderly orinfirm persons, particularly those who may suffer from arthritis or thelike. Similarly the mechanical assembly may also be difficult to operateby people whose hands are greasy or covered in soap.

It is also known to provide electrically powered closure systems, butthese systems typically require relatively complex and expensiveapparatus to be used which therefore makes them suitable primarily forindustrial purposes rather than domestic uses and furthermore, it isoften found that insufficient power or movement force can be created inthe conventional systems to allow the closure means to be moved to theopen position against the weight of the body of liquid. Furthermore,even when opened, the force of the drainage and/or weight of liquid, maycause the closure means to return to the closed position and henceprevent drainage of liquid until the user is forced to place their handsinto the body of liquid and manually move the closure means.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide an improvedpowered movement system which allows the powered movement of a closuremeans with respect to a drain hole between an open, drainage position,and a closed, liquid collection position.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a closure systemfor a sink, bath or similar device in which a body of liquid can beselectively collected, said closure system located with respect to adrain hole in the sink, bath or similar device, and includes a closuremeans mounted with respect to the drain hole so as to be movable betweena closed position in which the closure means substantially prevents thepassage of liquid through the drain hole, and an open position in whichthe closure means is moved upwardly to allow the passage of liquidthrough the drain hole wherein the system includes a movement assemblyincluding a selectively operated movement means, control meansselectively actuable by a user and, when said control means areactuated, said movement means is powered to act on at least one member,which in turn is in contact with the closure means, to move the closuremeans in a first direction to a closed position or in an opposingdirection to the open position.

In one embodiment the member is rotated by the powered movement meanswhen actuated. Typically the axis of rotation is substantiallyperpendicular to the axis along which the closure means is moved.

In one embodiment the member contacts with the closure means via a leverarm which may include a cam surface which contacts with the closuremeans.

In this embodiment the provision of the movement means in the form of amotor is preferred.

In one embodiment of the invention the member is in contact with a pivotarm on one side of a pivot axis and the pivot arm is in contact with theclosure means on the other side of the pivot.

In one embodiment, the said member is provided as part of a solenoid andis caused to move by the selective provision of electrical power to thesolenoid by user actuation of the control means.

In one embodiment the solenoid is moved in a first direction in responseto the receipt of power in a first polarity, and is movable in a seconddirection in response to the receipt of power in a reverse polarity.

Typically the solenoid includes a shaft which is connected to drive andmove a member of the closure means thereby moving the closure meansbetween the open and closed positions.

In one embodiment the shaft of the solenoid is connected to rotate arotatable member on which an arm is provided to contact the member ofthe control means.

In one embodiment the solenoid is located in a housing which is sealedfrom water ingress. Typically the rotatable member passes from the saidhousing along a channel, to depend into the drainage passage leadingfrom the sink or bath. Typically one or more sealing members is providedon the rotatable member and/or the channel to allow the seal between thehousing and the drainage passage to be achieved.

In one embodiment, the solenoid is of a double latch type which meansthat the member, when in a lowered position, is locked in that positionuntil electrical power is supplied to the same and, when in a raisedposition, is locked in that position until electrical power is provided.

The latching of the member in the open and closed positions, ensuresthat the closure means, especially in the open condition, can bemaintained in that condition as the member connected thereto ismaintained in the raised position.

Typically, the movement of the member is along an axis which issubstantially parallel with the axis of movement of the closure means.

Typically, the axis of movement of the member is offset to one side ofthe axis of movement of the closure means, with said offset distance,spanned by the pivot arm.

In one embodiment, the pivot arm, at the area of location with theclosure means, is curved so as to ensure reliable contact with theclosure means during movement of the closure means between open andclosed positions.

In one embodiment, the member passes through an aperture in a seal whichis located over the chamber in which the solenoid is located, so as toprevent the ingress of liquid into the chamber.

In one embodiment, the seal is provided to have a resilience such as toact as a diaphragm in conjunction with movement of the member andpreferably is provided such as to bias the member to a raised positionwhen the member has been moved to that position. In one embodiment, aresilient means, typically in the form of a spring may be provided toencourage the retention of the member in said raised position.

Typically, when the member is in the raised position, the closure meansis in a closed sealing position and when the member is in a loweredposition, the closure means is in an open drainage position.

In one embodiment, at least one aperture is provided into a channel inwhich the pivotal member is located so as to allow any debris which maycollect in said channel, to be removed.

Preferably, at least the bottom face of this chamber is sloped so as toencourage the flow of fluid back into the main drainpipe to which thesaid channel is connected at one end.

Preferably, the closure system is provided in connection with a lengthof drainpipe, which is preferably of a standard length and havingconventional fittings so as to allow the closure system to be fitted asa replacement part to a conventional drainpipe for a sink and if thesink is new, to allow the closure system to be fitted using conventionalfittings and not requiring any additional expertise or equipment.

Typically, the control means for the control system, are one or moreswitches, which, in a preferred embodiment, are located on an externalface of the sink, or adjacent work surface, but removed from the body ofliquid so as to allow the same to be operated by the user, without theneed to place their hands into the liquid.

Typically the switches are connected via appropriate wiring oralternatively, a remote control system may be used.

In one embodiment, the movement means requires a 12 volt power supplywhich may be provided from the mains supply via a transformer oralternatively, via a battery pack which may be located at a suitablelocation and connected to provide the required power to the movementmeans upon user actuation of the operation means.

In one embodiment power is only supplied to the movement means when auser has actuated the control system in order to open or close theclosure means. Once the closure means has reached the desired positionthe power supply is stopped.

This therefore means that electrical power is only required to beprovided to move the member between the open and closed positions butonce in said positions, no power is required to be provided.

In one embodiment, the closure means comprises a body, a downwardlydepending portion with which the pivotal member contacts, the length ofsaid portion being adjustable to ensure that the appropriate contact isachieved, and maintained, during movement of the closure means betweenthe open and closed positions. The body also includes, typically, asealing means which is located so as to contact with the drain hole soas to seal the same when the closure means is in a closed position.

In a preferred embodiment, the closure means incorporates a waste trap,said waste trap movable with the closure means between the open andclosed positions.

In one embodiment, the closure means may also comprise a cover or canopyportion which is located at the top of the closure means. In oneembodiment the canopy or cover is provided to be movable with theclosure means. Alternatively, the canopy or cover is mountedindependently of the closure means and may be provided in a fixedposition so as not to be influenced by the movement of the closuremeans.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly foruse with a bath or sink to allow the drainage of liquid therefrom via adrainage opening to be controlled, said assembly movable between adrainage position in which liquid can drain through the opening and aclosed position in which the opening is substantially sealed to preventliquid passing therethrough, said assembly including, or acted upon by,a movement means, to move the assembly between said positions inresponse to at least one control signal generated at a location remotefrom the assembly.

Typically the movement means are powered and the control signal isgenerated by user operation of a control means mounted on, or linked to,the bath or sink by cable or wireless means. Typically the movement ofthe assembly between positions requires no further user intervention.

Typically the movement means can be provided with standard attachmentmeans to allow the same to be fitted as an integral part of the drainagepassage and, in accordance with this embodiment of the invention, can belocated in storage space underneath the sink or bath without using upsignificant amounts of said space.

In one embodiment the control signal is generated by a personinteracting with a switch device. In one embodiment the switch isprovided with a device to prevent repeated operation of the same with agiven time period. This is in order to prevent repeated operation of theswitch causing the failure of the solenoid. In one embodiment a visualindication is generated to indicate to the user when the switch can andcannot be used.

In one embodiment power to the movement means is provided via one ormore batteries or mains power connection connected to the closure meansand control means. The supply of the power to the movement means istypically only provided when appropriate actuation of the control meansby the user is performed. Typically processing means are provided toallow the control of the power supply to the movement means.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a closure systemfor a drain hole of a sink or bath, said closure system includingclosure means moveable between a closed sealing position, and an opendrainage position, and movement means selectively operable in responseto user actuation of control means wherein said movement of the closuremeans between said open and closed positions occurs automatically uponappropriate user actuation of the control means.

In one embodiment, the closure means are moved between positions withoutuser contact therewith.

In a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method ofopening and closing a closure means for a drain hole of a sink or bath,said method comprising placing the closure means in the drain hole,operating control means to cause movement means, and hence the closuremeans in contact therewith, to be in either of an open drainage orclosed sealing position and wherein subsequent movement of the closuremeans between said positions is achieved by user operation of thecontrol means which causes movement of the movement means and automaticmovement of the closure means.

There is therefore provided, in accordance with the invention, a closuremeans and operating assembly therefor, which allows the closure means tobe moved successfully between open and closed positions, and to beretained therein in a successful manner and to do so using an operatingassembly which can be fitted to existing or new drainage assemblies ofsinks.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:—

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the apparatus in partial cross sectionshowing the external appearance of the apparatus in one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate respectively a vertical sectional elevation andperspective sectional view of the apparatus along line A-A with theclosure means in a closed position;

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate respectively a vertical sectional elevation andperspective sectional view of the apparatus along line A-A with theclosure means in an open position;

FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the apparatus is accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 6 with the components of theapparatus illustrated in greater detail;

FIGS. 8 a-b illustrate the apparatus in accordance with one embodimentof the invention in an assembled condition, in position in a sink shownin cross section; and

FIGS. 9 a-c illustrate the movement means of the apparatus.

Referring firstly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated closure systemapparatus for a sink 2, in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. The sink 2 is provided with a drain hole 4, leading to adrainpipe 6. The sink is provided with a cavity 8 having a base 10 and,in the cavity, liquid can be selectively collected when the closuremeans 12 of the system is in the closed position. In addition, inaccordance with the invention the drainpipe is provided in conjunctionwith a movement assembly 14 provided as part of the closures system.Thus when fitting the drainpipe section 6′ the movement assembly 14 canbe provided as an integral part thereof. In new build properties, thesystem can be fitted as part of the initial fitting process. In existingdrainage systems the length of pipeline 6 can be removed and replaced bythe drainpipe with the system 6′,14. Said movement assembly 14 includesactuation means which will be described in more detail subsequently, andwhich actuation means, operate the movement means which in turn causemovement of the closure means 12. The actuation means are connected to apower supply 16 and include (not shown) one or more switches which arelocated on an external surface of the sink or adjacent thereto so as toallow operation by a user of the sink.

The operation of the apparatus will now be described with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3 which show the closure means in a closed, sealingposition, and FIGS. 4 and 5 which show the closure means in an open,drainage position.

The closure means 12 comprises, in this embodiment, a waste trap 16 anda seal 18 mounted on a body 20. The waste trap and seal are provided, inthe closed position, so that liquid which pours into the sink cavity 8,is collected therein and, in an open position, water can drain into thedrainpipe, through apertures 21 in the trap and around the gap 23between the trap and the drain hole 4 and the sealing means 18. The gapand apertures are of a size so as to prevent larger items of debris frompassing into the drainpipe and said items of debris are collected in thewaste trap 16 and the waste trap can subsequently be removed to allowdebris to be discarded.

The closure means further comprises a downwardly depending portion ormember 22 which depends downwardly from the body into the drainpipe 6.At the free end of this portion, there is provided contact with an end24 of a pivot arm 26 of the movement means. The pivot arm can be pivotedaround axis 28 and is positioned to lie substantially centrally of achannel 30. The channel 30 is part of the assembly which is connected tothe drainpipe and the channel depends to one side of the drainpipe 6. Atthe opposing end 32 of the pivotal arm, the same is connected to an endof member 34. This member is provided as part of a movement means whichin this embodiment are in the form of a solenoid 36 and is movable inthe direction of arrows 38, 39. The solenoid is in turn connected to thepower supply and/or operating means. The member passes through anaperture 40 in a seal 42 so as to prevent the ingress of liquid into thechamber in which the solenoid is provided.

The channel also includes an access opening 44 which is normally closedbut which may be opened by removing the cap to allow any debris whichcollects in the channel 30 to be removed. Furthermore, the lower surface46 of the channel 30 is sloped downwardly in the direction of thedrainpipe so as to encourage liquid to flow back into the drainpipe andhence prevent the collection of liquid in the channel. The assembly isconnected to the drainpipe via standard fittings and therefore can befitted as part of a normal fitting operation.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the closure means 12 is shown in the closed positionwith the closure means at its lowest position and seal 18 engaging withthe drain hole and the member 34 which is part of the solenoid, is atits highest position. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the closure means 12 is shown inits open position with the closure means 12 at its highest position withthe seal 18 removed from the drain hole and the member 34 of thesolenoid 36 at its lowest position.

In both the open and closed positions, the member 34 of the solenoid 36,is latched or locked in position and hence the closure means is latchedor locked in position.

This therefore prevents unexpected or unwanted movement of the closuremeans 12 between the positions and which is especially important whenthe closure means is in an open position so as to ensure that therequired drainage of the body of liquid can occur. When the solenoidmember 34 is in its lowest position, the latching can be achieved viamagnets provided in the solenoid and, when the member is in its raisedposition, the latching can be achieved via the resilience of the seal 42and, if required, the resilience of a biasing means in the form of aspring 48.

In order to move the closure means 12 between the open and closedpositions, the user will press a button or switch of the control means.This causes the provision of power to the solenoid 36 which in turncauses the movement of the member 34 of the solenoid from its raisedposition to its lowered position or vice versa. Once the member 34 isdetected as having moved from one position to the other, the powersupply is shut off and the member is located in the new position. Itshould therefore be appreciated that power is only required to beprovided during the movement of the member and not to maintain themember at one of the raised or lowered positions. This therefore reducesthe power supply requirements.

Furthermore, it is found that as the movement of the member 34 is inparallel with the movement of the closure means 12, then the power whichis required to move the closure means via the pivot arm 26 issignificantly reduced with respect to the more complex conventionalsystems. The movement of the member 34 is transferred via the pivot arm26 to the closure means 12 effectively and efficiently and thereforeprovides for the powered movement of the closure means upon the useractuation of the operation.

Turning now to the FIGS. 6 and 7 there is shown a further embodiment ofthe apparatus in accordance with the invention. In FIG. 6 there is showna closure system 102 fitted in a drain hole assembly 104 which in turnwould be fitted in a sink (not shown). The closure system includes aclosure means 106 which is movable between the closed position shown toan open position in which the same is raised from the position shown asindicated by arrow 103, so as to allow liquid in the sink to leave thesame through the drain hole 104. The drain hole leads to a drainpipearrangement 110 which has an aperture 112 through which liquid from thedrain hole can leave and enter the drainage system. Intermediate theaperture 112 and the drain hole 104 there is provided the movementassembly 114. The movement assembly includes movement means in the formin this embodiment of a motor 116 connected to move a shaft and member(not shown) which are in connection with a member on the underside ofthe closure means so as to move the same between the raised and loweredpositions. The motor is also connected to a control means to allow theselective operation of the motor in response to user operation of thecontrol means.

FIG. 7 illustrates the system of FIG. 6 in more detail with the separatecomponents shown. The closure means 106 has a trap 117 and downwardlydepending member 118 which passes through the drain hole 104 and into acylinder 120 connected to a sealing means 122 which is mounted as partof the closure means and which, when the closure means is in the loweredclosed position seals against surface 119 so as to seal the drain hole104 so as to prevent liquid passing therethrough into the drain pipe.

The free end 124 of the member 118 and/or the base of the cylinder 120and/or underside of the sealing means 122 are provided to contact withan arm 126 via a cam surface 128. The arm is mounted on a member 130which in turn is mounted on the shaft of the motor so as to be rotatableabout its longitudinal axis 132 and hence rotate the arm 126. The arm126 and forward part 134 of the member 130 are located within thedrainpipe passage 136 so as to lie in contact with the closure means.The member 130 passes through an aperture 138 in the drainpipe whichwill typically be provided with sealing means to prevent the seepage ofliquid from the drainpipe towards the motor 116.

Thus in use, the member 130 and arm 126 are rotatable between a firstposition in which the closure means 106 is in a lowered closed position,and a second position in which the closure means is moved to a raisedopen position. Typically the member and lever arm are held in one of thetwo positions until power is supplied to the motor 116 from the controlmeans which will cause the motor to rotate the member 130 and arm 126 tomove the same to the other of the two positions. Typically the rotationis in forward or reverse directions so as to move the same between thetwo positions.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 a-b there is illustrated apparatus inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention. The apparatus isshown in use in a sink 202 although it should be appreciated that it mayequally well be used with a bath or similar apparatus, as may all of theembodiments of the invention.

The apparatus includes a closure means 204 for a drainage opening 206leading to a drainage passage from the sink. The closure means, althoughonly partially shown is largely of a conventional form and includes awaste collecting means 210 mounted on an elongate shaft 212 which isprovided of a length so as to depend down into the drainage passage forreasons that will be described subsequently. Underneath the wastecollecting means 210 there is provided a sealing means which when theassembly is in the closed position, seals the opening 206 to preventliquid leading into the drainage passage 208.

The closure means is capable of being moved between a closed position,in which the same is shown and a raised, drainage position in which thesame is moved upwardly as indicated by arrow 214. This removes thesealing means from the opening and allows any liquid in the sink todrain into the passage 208. In this position the waste collecting means210 acts to allow liquid to pass therethrough but traps solids or debrisand prevents the same from entering the drainage passage. The specificdesign of the waste collecting means can be dependent upon the use ofthe same, for example a waste collecting means for use in a sink, may beof a slightly different design to that used for a bath due to thedifferent forms of debris which are being collected in each.

In accordance with this invention the movement is achieved by the use ofa movement assembly 216 located within housing 218 and connected to thedrainage passage 208 underneath the opening. The housing is offset tothe passage 208 and sealed from the same. Also provided is a connection(not shown) to at least one switch 220 which is user actuable and islocated, in this instance on the top surface of the sink in one of theapertures formed for selective location of a tap. However the switch canbe located at any suitable location so as to aid user activation and/ordesign requirements. It should be appreciated that the switcharrangement shown can be used with any of the embodiments of theinvention.

The switch 220 is operable by a person to cause the movement of theassembly between the raised drainage and closed sealing positions in amanner that will be described subsequently.

Turning now to the FIGS. 9 a-c there is illustrated the movementassembly of the apparatus in more detail. A face of the housing has beenremoved to allow the components of the movement assembly to be viewedmore easily. Located within the housing there is provided a movementmeans in the form of a solenoid, typically of the thrust type, 222 whichis selectively connected to a power supply to allow movement of theshaft 224. The shaft is connected to a rotatable member 226 on which islocated an arm 228 which is pivotally moved about the axis of rotationof the rotatable member 226.

The arm 228 is provided to contact with the free end 230 of the shaft212 of the assembly so as to provide the movement force on the same andhence allow the movement of the closure means between drainage andsealing positions as previously described.

The solenoid and part of the rotatable member are located within thehousing and sealed from the drainage passage via sealing rings 232 whichlocate with the inner walls of the tight fitting channel through whichthe same passes into the drainage passage to thereby seal the housingfrom liquid ingress.

Operation of the apparatus of any of the embodiments described can beachieved in the following manner with regard to the switch and movementof the closure means in the sink or bath.

Switch Operation Power Supply Closure means status None None Closuremeans stable Depress switch Power movement means Closure means moved infirst Direction. to open drain position Release switch None Closuremeans maintained in drain position None None Closure means maintained indrain position Depress switch Power movement means Closure means movedin reverse direction. to closed seal position Release switch NoneClosure means stable in Sealing/down position None None Assembly stable

Thus, in a preferred method of operation when the user touches/pressesthe switch unit for a period of time, such as 2 seconds, this thenilluminates (the illumination will remain on for a period of time suchas 4 seconds) and sends a control signal to the control unit. Thecontrol unit then transfers power from the mains supply to the movementmeans. If the movement means is a solenoid it may change the polarity ofthe supply. The movement means then moves to cause the movement assemblyto move the closure means position and the power is then turned off.Typically, even if the user is still operating the switch there will beno more power supplied to the movement means once the new position hasbeen reached. The movement means will only be able to be re-activatedwhen the illumination of the switch turns off. This is a safetymechanism so that the movement means will not burn out from repeatedfrequent use.

When the user requires the movement means to be moved to the other openposition they touch/press the switch unit for a period of time whichilluminates (typically another colour and the illumination will remainon for a period of time), this then sends a control signal to thecontrol means which then supplies the appropriate power from the mainssupply to the movement means. The movement means then moves to cause theclosure means to close and the power is then turned off. Again,typically the movement means will only be able to be re-activated whenthe illumination of the switch turns off.

There is therefore provided in accordance with the invention, a systemfor movement of a closure means in a sink, which is efficient, and is ofa form which means that the same can be used in industrial and alsodomestic sinks.

1. A closure system for a sink, bath or similar device in which a bodyof liquid can be selectively collected, said closure system located withrespect to a drain hole in the sink, bath or similar device, andincludes a closure means mounted with respect to the drain hole so as tobe movable between a closed position in which the closure meanssubstantially prevents the passage of liquid through the drain hole, andan open position in which the closure means is moved upwardly to allowthe passage of liquid through the drain hole wherein the system includesa movement assembly including a selectively operated movement means,control means selectively actuable by a user and, when said controlmeans are actuated, said movement means is powered to act on at leastone member, which in turn is in contact with the closure means, to movethe closure means in a first direction to a closed position or in anopposing direction to the open position.
 2. A system according to claim1 wherein the member passes through a chamber and a seal is provided topreventingress of liquid to the movement means.
 3. A system according toclaim 1 wherein the control means include one or more switches.
 4. Asystem according to claim 3 wherein the switches are located on anexternal face of the sink, bath or similar item, or adjacent surface,removed from the body of liquid so as to allow the same to be operatedby the user, without the need to place their hands into the liquid.
 5. Asystem according to claim 1 wherein visual indication means are providedto indicate when the control means are available to be used.
 6. A systemaccording to claim 1 wherein the control means are operated via a remotecontrol system.
 7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the closuremeans comprises a body, a portion with which the member of the movementassembly contacts to move the closure means and a sealing means which,when the closure means is in the closed position substantially seals thedrain hole from the passage of liquid therethrough.
 8. A systemaccording to claim 7 wherein the closure means incorporates a wastetrap, said waste trap movable with the closure means between the openand closed positions.
 9. A system according to claim 8 wherein theclosure means includes a cover or canopy portion which is located at thetop of the closure means.
 10. A system according to claim 1 wherein themember is rotated by the powered movement means when actuated.
 11. Asystem according to claim 10 wherein the axis of rotation issubstantially perpendicular to the axis along which the closure means ismoved.
 12. A system according to claim 10 wherein the member contactswith the closure means via an arm.
 13. A system according to claim 12wherein the arm includes a cam surface which contacts with the closuremeans.
 14. A system according to claim 10 wherein the movement means isa motor.
 15. A system according to claim 1 wherein the movement meansincludes a solenoid to which power is selectively supplied in responseto user generated control signals.
 16. A system according to claim 15wherein the solenoid is moved in a first direction in response to thereceipt of power in a first polarity, and is movable in a seconddirection in response to the receipt of power in a reverse polarity,with the respective polarities selected by a control system in responseto the selective control means actuation by the user.
 17. A systemaccording to claim 16 wherein the solenoid includes a member which isconnected to drive and move a shaft of the closure means thereby movingthe closure means between the open and closed positions.
 18. A systemaccording to claim 17 wherein the member is connected to rotate arotatable member on which an arm is provided to contact with the shaftof the closure means.
 19. A system according to claim 18 wherein therotatable member depends into the drainage passage leading from thedrain hole.
 20. A system according to claim 17 wherein a seal isprovided with a resilience such as to act as a diaphragm in conjunctionwith movement of the member.
 21. A system according to claim 20 whereinthe seal biases the member to a predetermined position when the memberhas been moved to that position.
 22. A system according to claim 1wherein a resilient means is provided to encourage the retention of themember in a predetermined position.
 23. A system according to claim 22wherein when the member is in the predetermined position, the closuremeans is in a closed position.
 24. A system according to claim 1 whereinat least one aperture is provided in the system to allow any debriswhich may collect in said system, to be removed.
 25. A system accordingto claim 1 wherein the movement means is provided such that the closuremeans, when in the open or closed positions, is locked in that positionuntil electrical power is supplied to the movement means.
 26. A systemaccording to claim 1 wherein said member is in contact with a pivot armon one side of a pivot axis and the pivot arm is in contact with theclosure means on the other side of the pivot axis.
 27. A systemaccording to claim 26 wherein the movement of the member is along anaxis which is substantially parallel with the axis along which theclosure means moves.
 28. A system according to claim 26 wherein thepivot arm, at the area of location with the closure means, is curved soas to ensure reliable contact with the closure means during movement ofthe closure means between open and closed positions.
 29. A systemaccording to claim 1 wherein the movement assembly is provided inconnection with a length of drainpipe, so as to allow the assembly to befitted to a conventional drain hole and drainpipe.
 30. A systemaccording to claim 1 wherein power to the movement means is provided viaone or more batteries or mains power connection connected to the closuremeans and control means.
 31. A system according to claim 30 wherein thesupply of the power to the movement means is only provided whenappropriate actuation of the control means by the user is performed. 32.A system according to claim 31 wherein processing means are provided toallow the control of the power supply to the movement means.
 33. Aclosure system for a drain hole of a sink or bath, said closure systemincluding closure means moveable between a closed sealing position, andan open drainage position, and movement means selectively operable inresponse to user actuation of control means wherein said movement of theclosure means between said open and closed positions occursautomatically upon appropriate user actuation of the control means. 34.A system according to claim 33 wherein the closure means are movedbetween positions without user contact therewith.
 35. A method ofopening and closing a closure means for a drain hole of a sink or bath,said method comprising placing the closure means in the drain hole,operating control means, to cause movement means, and hence the closuremeans in contact therewith, to be in either of an open drainage orclosed sealing position and wherein subsequent movement of the closuremeans between said positions is achieved by user operation of thecontrol means to which causes movement of the movement means andautomatic movement of the closure means.